Improvement in painting-machines for flat surfaces



UNITED STATES PATENT FFioE.

JAMES WARNER, 0F BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

I Specification forniingpart of Letters Patent No.'203.393, dated May7,11%; application filed March s, 1878.

. ence marked thereon.

Figure 1 of the drawing is a representation of a top-plan view of myinvention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section of the same. Fig. 3is a detailed view of a modification of one of the distributing-rollers.

This invention has relation to a machine or device for spreading orlaying on a coat or body of paint or other compound upon the flatsurface of sheets of tin or other material, to

prepare the same for receiving prints, designs, or ornamental figures,such as trade-marks, labels, patterns, 85c.

Previous to my invention it was the practice to cover the surface of themetal by the ordinary painters brush. It was found, however, that,notwithstanding the care with which the color was laid on, there wouldinvariably be an uneven surface after the colorhadbecome dry, and thebrush-marks would also become perceptible, adding to the roughness ofthe surface, as well as making a very inartistic sign or show-card afterhaving been printed upon.

The success of this class of advertising-signs depends greatly in thedistinctness and sharpness of the lines composing the figures or type,or whatever class of ornamentation used, and this sharp effect of theprinting is due wholly to the perfect evenness of the surface-color.This invention therefore consists in a machine that will lay the colorupon the surface of the In the accompanying drawing, A represents theframe of the machine, supported by suitable standards or legs a, bracedby cross-pieces b and vertical strips 0. Any other means, how ever, maybe used to form a support for the frame A. The frame, upon its underside, has secured to it metal plates. to form a support for a slidingtable, B; or, if desired, the frame, upon its inner sides, may begrooved to receive flanges upon the sides of the table. The table B hasupon its under side a rack-bar, d, running lengthwise of said table, bywhich the same is moved backward or forward upon the frameA through themedium of a pinion-wheel, e, keyed to a shaft, f, under the frame A,said shaft having its hearings in boxes secured to the vertical sidestrips 0, and operated by a crank-handle, g, or other suitabledrivingpower.

To one end of the table B is secured a trough or reservoir, 0, which ispartially filled with color, and within the reservoir is a color-roller,D. The roller D has upon one end of its shaft a toothed wheel, h, whichengages with the teethupon a plate, 43, secured to the inner side of theframe A. Bythis arrangement,'when the table A is moved a certaindistance the roller D is caused to rotate within the reservoir O andtake up the desired quantity of color therefrom.

Directly following the reservoir 0 is a color slab, E, rigidly securedto the table A, and a short distance beyond the slab is a frame, F,hinged to the table at one of its sides. This frame F consists ofclamping-plates j is, ar-" ranged in pairs, which receive the flangededges of pattern-plate G, which are held between the clamping-plates byscrew-rods Z and suitable screw-nuts, also short screw-bolts 'n.

This frame and pattern-plate are only required for use when a portiononly of the metal sheet is to be coated with the color, and l the sizeor configuration of the coating-may be changed by substituting adiiferent pattern-plate, that shown being simply for one circular inform. The plate to be coated is placed upon a panel, 19, and the patternplaced over it; or when the entire surface of the metal sheet is to becoated the frame, with its pattern-plate, is removed by disconnectingthe hinges from the table.

Near one end of the frame A, and upon each side thereof, are standards0, which support the journals of rollers H I J, said rollers beingarranged at an angle with the table, as illustrated in Fig. 1 of thedrawing, to insure a better distribution of the color upon the slab E.Similar standards q are secured to the frame A a short distance in frontof standards 0, which support rollers K L M N O.

The operation of the machine is very simple. The metal sheet to becoated is first placed upon the panel 1;, and,if a pattern-plate isused, the frame F is'placed over themetal sheet, after which the table Bis moved toward and under the color-rollers. The roller D, during thismovement of the table, rotates within the reservoir 0, taking up thecolor and delivering it to the rollers I J, which are preferably coatedwith gum, leather, or other similar material, the color being equalizedand distributed over the surface of the rollers by an upper roller, H.The rollers I J having now distributed sufficient color to the slab F,as the table moves in the direction of the rollers M N O the slab, withits supply of color, is brought under said rollers, and transfers itscolor thereto, while the upper rollers K L distribute the color over theperiphery of the rollers M N 0. As said rollers are now ready totransfer the color to the metal sheet, the table B is moved back in thedirection first described, again supplying the slab E with the color.

It will be seen by this means of coating the metal sheet a very evenprinting-surface is obtained, far superior to the surfaces formed Whenthe pattern-plate and frame are not in use, and a very small space isonly required to be covered, or several very narrow spaces upon a singlesheet are required, the rollers H I J are withdrawn from the frame A,and replaced by rollers Q, having two separate colorsurfaces, 1', aswill be seen in Fig. 3 of drawin g, which, by its use, saves material.

In place of the rack-bar and pinion-wheel, other means may be employedfor operating the table; and in place of the hand-crank, the shaft maybe rotated by belts and pulleys, driven by steam or other power; butthis is not considered necessary, and would only be I found advantageouswhere machines are constructed of extraordinary large size.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desireto secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a machine for coating flat surfaces with color, the trough O androller D, provided with the toothed wheel h, in combination with therollers I J K, reciprocating table B, frame A, and toothed plate i,substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The frame A and rollers H I J K L M N O, in combination with thereciprocating table B, trough O, roller D, and slab E, substantially asand for the purpose specified.

3. The frame F, consisting of the clampingplates j k and screws 1 a,said frame being hinged or pivoted to the table B, substantially as andfor the purpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the above I have hereunto subscribed my namein the presence of two witnesses.

JAMES WARNER.

Witnesses CHARLES D. PETERS, WILLIAM FANAN.

